More than 700 birders on 24 teams participated in Bird-a-thon 2016 this May, recording a total of 270 species of birds. That’s only 1 species away from the Bird-a-thon all-time best total of 271 species in 2009!
Highlighted below are some notable sightings as determined by Wayne Petersen, Director, Important Bird Area Program. (See the master list of species recorded.)
- Sandhill Crane
- White-faced Ibis Harry Liggett
- Prothonotary Warbler
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron
- King Rail via Carol Foil/Flickr
- Little Gull via Tom Benson/Flickr
- American Golden Plover via Tom Benson/Flickr
- Red-headed Woodpecker by Ken Lee
- Blackheaded Gull via Nosferah/Flickr
- Hudsonian Godwit
- Dickcissel via Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren/Flickr
- Common Murre via Rachid H/Flickr
The birding may be over, but you can still support Bird-a-thon by making a donation to your favorite team or participant. Bird-a-thon is Mass Audubon’s largest fundraiser, providing important support to wildlife sanctuaries and programs across the state. See Bird-a-thon 2016 results and award winners